Francois Legault, the new premier of Quebec says he is governing for all Quebecers.
But little was said during the provincial election about Indigenous issues, and even less is in print on the parties website.
In a letter to the Assembly of First Nations Quebec and Labrador, Legault, leader of the Coalition Avenir Quebec, said he intended to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) but did not say how, or when it would happen.
Chiefs want to meet with Legault to discuss his plan.
“We have a chiefs’ assembly meeting scheduled for mid-November,” said Ghislain Picard, AFN regional chief for Quebec and Labrador. “We certainly hope that the premier will be available to meet with the Chiefs at least a first meeting and that from there we will see where that takes us.”
I want to clarify the constitution and how it applies to Indians, Indian Bands and Indian corporations. Indians are administered under the federal section 91(24), 53 and 125 as opposed to the provincial section 92. Section 92 is significant. It clearly states that any and all revenue from taxation and grants from the federal section 91(24), including grants from the Census of $35,000 per individual, is prevented by the constitution from spending on section 91 matters generally and 24 (Indians, and lands reserved for Indians) specifically. There is no use of provincial tax revenue on Indians, Indian Bands and Indian corporations and based on section 53, Indians are tax exempt by virtue of section 53 and 125. Indians and Indian Chiefs need to be briefed on this constitutional fact and act accordingly.
I want to clarify the constitution and how it applies to Indians, Indian Bands and Indian corporations. Indians are administered under the federal section 91(24), 53 and 125 as opposed to the provincial section 92. Section 92 is significant. It clearly states that any and all revenue from taxation and grants from the federal section 91(24), including grants from the Census of $35,000 per individual, is prevented by the constitution from spending on section 91 matters generally and 24 (Indians, and lands reserved for Indians) specifically. There is no use of provincial tax revenue on Indians, Indian Bands and Indian corporations and based on section 53, Indians are tax exempt by virtue of section 53 and 125. Indians and Indian Chiefs need to be briefed on this constitutional fact and act accordingly.